Poets’ Word Box In poetry, more than almost any other form of writing, every word counts! The glossary given below provides definitions of some key words used to discuss elements of poetry. Alliteration: the repetition of beginning consonant sounds (jingle, jangle, jamboree) Assonance: the repetition of vowel sounds (same, rain, makes, pavement) Consonance: the repetition of consonant sounds anywhere in the words (Carlos wore a bla ck ja ck et) End rhyme: the rhyming of words at the end of two or more lines of poetry Free Verse: poetry that does not include patterned rhyme or rhythm Haiku: a three-line Japanese poem about Unit- - - - - nature; the first line has five syllables; the second, seven; and the third, five Limerick: a funny verse in five lines; lines one, three and five rhyme, as do two and four Metaphor: a direct comparison Narrative: a poem that tells a story Onomatopoeia: words whose sounds make you think of their meanings Personification: a comparison in which something that is not human is described with human characteristics Repetition: the repeating of a word or phrase to add rhythm Rhythm: the pattern of accented and unaccented syllables in a line of poetry Simile : a comparison that uses the words ‘like’ or ‘as’ A sample poem: Give me a Poem Give me a poem as soft as sleep; as dangerous as money; as bitter as a nasty pill; as sweet as summer honey; and wrap it in a web of words, as strong and fine as silk; as free as flocks of wheeling birds; as nourishing as milk. If you give me a poem like that, I’ll tell you what I’ll do If you give me a poem like that, I’ll give one back to you!
- Helen H. Moore Writing a book review What is a Book Review? The review is basically a statement of opinion about a piece of writing (or any other work of art, such as dance, sculpture, or music) which is substantiated with specific facts and incidents from the work itself. Its primary purpose is